Standing Rock Sioux Tribe President Charles Murphy facing removal from office amid controversy. Photo Courtesy/SRST Website
STANDING ROCK, SOUTH DAKOTA –– In what seems to be an increasingly common practice in tribal politics, another tribal chairman is facing removal from office due to charges and allegations brought against him by the council members he serves with. A hearing is set to be held to decide whether Standing Rock Tribal Council Chairman Charles Murphy should be removed from office for misconduct and neglect of office duties. Councilor Avis Little Eagle, former managing editor of Indian Country Today, brought forth allegations of misconduct and neglect at a tribal council meeting. She said the council overwhelmingly voted to authorize three of the eight charges that have to do with Murphy acting beyond his authority to make various personnel and departmental changes. Little Eagle said the situation is very politically charged and declined to comment further. Native Sun News made several attempts to contact Murphy, but calls were never returned. No comments had been issued from the chairman’s office at press time. Murphy was elected chairman two years ago, ousting incumbent Ron His Horse Is Thunder. The apparent source of the controversy leading to the charges levied against Murphy center around the former executive director, Cheryl Kary, who was released from her position by Murphy. Kary had recently restructured tribal programs so that department managers would oversee the programs, rather than tribal council members. Currently, the tribal council plans to meet over the issue of bringing charges against 11 tribal council members who voted for the dismissal of Kary. Kary is an enrolled member of the SRST and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and two master’s degrees from the University of Mary, Bismarck, as well as a Ph.D. in communications and public discourse from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)
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